Got a tax refund?

04/10/26 - Friday

April 10, 2026

 

Hey friend,

Tax refunds are rolling in, and they're 10.2% bigger than last year. According to the latest IRS data, the average refund is around $3,800.

If you're getting a refund this year, this episode is for you.

But honestly? This applies to any extra money you come into and wonder what to do with it.

🎧 New Episode: Got Extra Cash? Here's What to Do With It

Here's the truth: your extra cash is not free money.

  • Tax refund = you overpaid taxes

  • Bonus = you worked hard

  • Profit from a sale = monetary return on time invested

  • Life insurance = a loved one wants you to be taken care of

  • Lottery winnings = you're likely just recouping what you've spent on tickets 😜

Your brain is lying to you. It's telling you to blow this money on a vacation, new car, or an online shopping spree. Don't listen.

Instead of asking "What should I do with this money?"

Ask: What problem in my life can this money solve?

In this episode, we walk you through a 5-step framework you can use anytime you get extra cash (one time or monthly!)

💰 Is Your Emergency Fund Topped Off?

If you're planning to boost your emergency fund with your tax refund, make sure it's sitting in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) where it can actually earn interest.

We love CIT Bank for emergency and sinking funds.

Right now, their Savings Connect account offers 3.65% APY, which is significantly better than the national average of 0.39% APY.

And if you have more that $5,000 saved, CIT's Platinum Savings has an APY boost promotion running until April 13. Earn 4.10% APY on balances over $5,000 for the first 6 months when you use promo code CITBoost. After the boost ends, you'll continue earning 3.75% APY.

Here’s the math: if you have $3,800 sitting in a traditional savings account earning 0.39% APY, you'd earn about $15 in a year. That same $3,800 in CIT Bank at 3.65% APY would earn you approximately $139.

That's an extra $124 just for putting your money in the right place. **

🔍 Looking For Another High-Yield Savings Account?

If you already have a CIT account and want to find another high-yield account, check out Raisin.

Raisin is a marketplace that lets you compare rates from multiple FDIC-insured banks in one place, so you can find the best option for your emergency fund without doing all the research yourself.

It's a simple way to make sure you're getting the most competitive rate available. **

Your tax refund isn't "fun money." It's a tool. Use it to solve a problem, build security, or move closer to your goals.

❤️ Jen + Jill

**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.